Tomatillo-Braised Beef Shanks

Featuring:
Rumba Meats® Beef Cross-Cut Hind Shank

4 Servings

Original Blog & Recipe by
Vianney Rodriguez

Hi, I'm Vianney Rodriquez, founder, recipe developer and South Texas foodie behind Sweet Life. The recipes on Sweet Life are inspired by my exploration of childhood memories and the global food culture that makes up South Texas. Sharing time in the kitchen with my daughters ensures that the traditions of my family in Mexico are passed down to the next generation. I can always count on Rumba Meats to provide me the highest quality cuts of meat.

See more of my recipes

Tomatillo-Braised Beef Shanks

One of my favorite things about cooking and entertaining is the simple act of gathering together around a table to share a meal. I love looking over to see people I adore sharing a meal, smiling and sharing their day with me – nothing, I repeat nothing makes me happier. I live to feed my people.

tomatillo braised beef shanks

After Hurricane Harvey, I lost items, objects, possessions, but not what I cherished most – the people I adore. The fantastic people over at Rumba Meats in collaboration with Neighbors Table surprised me with the sweetest gift – a beautiful, made with love table that encouraged me to get back in the kitchen to do what I love most. Cook for the people I adore.

The following recipe is one of many highlights of this special evening. Huge abrazos y mil besos to the folks over at Rumba Meats and Neighbor’s Table for making this evening so special.

tomatillo braised beef shank

Chilly evenings always make me crave stews, braised meat, and soups. These are also some of the best recipes to make when entertaining as they do not require endless of hours of prep, are budget-friendly and taste even better the more they simmer away on the stove. While my meal simmers away, I can concentrate on my making my side dishes, whip up a big batch cocktail or set the table.

Beef Shanks are one of my go-to cuts of meats when braising. They are rich, juicy and flavorful and the perfect cut of meat for slow cooking. My mami always had beef shanks in her freezer to make caldo de rez, so I grew up enjoying them and now cook them often for my familia.

tomatillo braised beef shank

This is one of many reasons I adore Rumba Meats. They offer products that help me share my familia’s heritage through food by providing the ingredients to make traditional dishes and I can easily find them in my local grocery store or when I travel to visit extended familia.

I braised my beef shanks in a bright salsa verde. Tomatillos have an addicting acidic tang which pairs perfectly with the rich, beefy flavor from the beef shanks. Served paired with creamy mashed potatoes with rajas my tomatillo braised beef shanks are not only easy to cook, but they are comfort food at it’s best.

tomatillo braised beef shank

Ingredients

Salsa Verde

Rumba Meats® Beef Cross-Cut Hind Shank (2 pounds)
1 pound tomatillos, husked
2 jalapenos, chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, skin on
1/2 cup cilantro, washed
Juice from one lime
2 teaspoons salt

Beef Shanks

2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups beef stock
Diced radishes for garnish

Instructions

Salsa Verde

Pre-heat broiler. Place tomatillos, onion, garlic and jalapenos on a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil for 5 to 7 minutes to lightly char the skins. Be sure to watch the garlic, it will char quickly.
Cool broiled vegetables. Remove skin from garlic. In a blender, combine broiled vegetables with cilantro, lime juice and salt. Blend salsa verde until smooth. Set aside.

Beef Shanks

For beef shanks: Pat beef hind shanks dry with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper, then dust with flour.
In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add hind shanks and sear on both sides until well browned. Remove from pot and set aside.
Add salsa verde, gently scraping the Dutch oven to release any browned bits. Continue cooking for 3 minutes. Return hind shanks to Dutch oven, add 4 cups beef stock to cover shanks.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 2 hours until internal temperature of hind shanks reaches 160ºF and meat is tender and falling off the bone. Check periodically to make sure the shanks are completely covered with braising liquid, topping with additional beef broth, if needed.
Serve warm over mashed potatoes with rajas, pickled red onions and diced radishes, if desired.